Is Our Compassion Guarded By Caution?

Sometimes in relationships, I have no idea whether to exercise caution or compassion. For example, a dude I’ve known as a consistent back-stabber does not evoke feelings of compassion within my heart—rather, I’m cautious. I’m more concerned with being hurt than helping him. I’ve never considered trying to help him find a relationship with God. However,Jesus had compassion on the thief on the cross and thewoman at the well. He knew the crimes they had committed and WOULD commit against His love, yet—He didn’t let their sin against Him guard His compassion for them! Wow!

If Jesus didn’t hold back His compassion, then who am I to exercise caution when giving compassion?

No man’s sin against me is as great as it is against Jesus—right? He was the only truly innocent person who ever lived. In order to have GOD’S compassion, I must be close to Him.

God knows the heart of every person; and—I cannot know what God knows—if I’m not listening! The Lord says to us: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3) Although there are definitely dangerous folks that we should avoid, we shouldn’t rely upon our own knowledge to make that determination. If you had been an oppressively taxed Jewish citizen in Jesus’ time, would you have ever imagined the much hated town tax collector, Zacchaeus, coming to know God? (Luke 19:1-10) Jesus knew he would. When we are close to God, His Spirit fills us with the wisdom to have compassion on those hearts who are seeking after Him.

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